Rampage vs. Rashad Evans to Headline UFC 107; UFC 108 Scheduled for January 2nd in Las Vegas

by SSreporters on Jul 3, 2009 4:50 PM EDT

This was totally expected, and now it's been confirmed. UFC 107 will take place in Memphis, TN at the FedEx Forum sometime in mid-December. The main event will feature the long-awaited battle between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Rashad Evans. MMA Frenzy has the story:

Former light heavyweight champions Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Rashad Evans, rivals who are appearing as opposing coaches on upcoming tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter, will headline UFC 107 in December in Jackson’s hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

Details on the bout were first confirmed by Jackson in a recent YouTube video and the UFC’s Marc Ratner tells MMAjunkie that the pay-per-view event will take place on December 12 or 19 at the 19,000-seat FedEx Forum in Memphis.

Last time we saw Rampage in the octagon he defeated Keith Jardine in UFC 96, with Rashad commentating with Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg. We got the trash-talking which gave Joe Rogan a raging....okay let me stop there.

Rashad Evans got his ass brutally kicked and got KTFO'd by Lyoto Machida in UFC 98, relinquishing his light-heavyweight belt to the Brazilian. It was his first loss in his pro-MMA career and it is definitely a KO of the Year candidate. UFC 98 would've been Rashad/Rampage, but the latter suffered torn ligaments in his jaw and could not fight.

Both men are coaches in TUF 10 for the heavyweights, so this fight will take place after TUF 10 Finale on Spike.

Once upon a time Rampage was to face the winner of Evans/Machida, but that isn't the case anymore. Besides, Machida would've beaten Rampage into the padding of the ring.

But wait! There's more! UFC 108 will be in Las Vegas to kick off 2010.

The UFC’s traditional year-end event, UFC 108, is now expected to take place on January 2 in Las Vegas, according to the UFC’s Marc Ratner, who confirmed the likely date on Wednesday with MMAjunkie.

A venue has not yet been set for the pay-per-view event and no bouts are even rumored for the card, which is typically the promotion’s most-stacked of the year.

Instead of an Ultimate 2009 this has to take place in January 2010 or else the weigh-ins would take place on Christmas Day.

So to summarize, the November to December calendar is completely stacked. UFC 105 is going to be on Spike TV on 11/14, UFC 106 the week after on PPV in Vegas, TUF 10 Finale 12/5 live on Spike, and UFC 107: Black on Black Beatdown in December. Lastly, 2010 kicks off with UFC 108 so that our nearly insatiable appetite for MMA gets an instantaneous response.

I'm going with Rampage TKO 2.

I'm so happy right now.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

I’m cised!

by jebushchrist on Jul 3, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

Me too, whatever that means!

Crowd: FE-DOR! FE-DOR!

Mike Goldberg: The crowd seems to be chanting "Kongo" here, Joe.

by xFenixKnightx on Jul 3, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Can’t wait for this upcoming season of TUF, and this bout between coaches should be good.

by tmatte on Jul 3, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

How far do you think Kimbo will make it?

Andy Reid is the only coach in NFL history that uses the pass to set up the pass.

by SSreporters on Jul 3, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Far enough to get a multifight contract with the UFC. Trust me, if Kimbo wins at least one fight in the house he’s getting a contract and he’s going to be on the finale. Only way I don’t see him getting a contract is if he loses his 1st fight in the house and loses the fight on the finale as well. I still think he wins at least one so he’ll be on the UFC roster for a while.

Crowd: FE-DOR! FE-DOR!

Mike Goldberg: The crowd seems to be chanting "Kongo" here, Joe.

by xFenixKnightx on Jul 3, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

It’ll suck if he’s disappointing and gets a contract, because there’s probably better talent that won’t be signed.

by tmatte on Jul 3, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder how Kimbo acts around the house and just on the show in general

With Kimbo being the huge focus on the show, I have to wonder how he will be on the show. Will he be controversial, annoying, smack-talking or what? With so much hype around him coming in the show, I have to wonder how he will come across on television.

by chrisbboy82 on Jul 4, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t really care about this fight in any way besides the fact that it’s a Rampage fight, and that it’s a fight. I’m sure it will end quickly. Rampage TKO in 1.

by Ahhhoki on Jul 3, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

This card is going to get much, much better.

by Derek Suboticki on Jul 3, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

Should be a really good main event right here.

by Jmend255 on Jul 4, 2009 2:14 AM EDT reply actions

The trash talk was awesome

…on Rampage’s part, anyway. Rashad just kept muttering and cussing, talking bs about coming in with his hands down (aka, asking to get KTFO)…I think Rashad’s only realistic chance is if he can outwrestle Rampage and revert to a lay and pray strategy reminiscent of some of his early fights. His all-around striking game is VERY raw, although Rampage will have to be wary of short hooks from inside. Evans has also shown to be of no threat in the jits game to this point in time in his career. So, if he can outwrestle Jackson, he has a chance.

Just the same, I see Rampage ending this with a (T)KO in the first round.

by Ryjo on Jul 4, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions